Kelly Wade Martin
July 21, 1963 – July 20, 2025
Kelly Wade Martin
Kelly Wade Martin, 61, of Rosehill in Redmond, Washington, sadly passed away on July 20, 2025, surrounded by loved ones.
Born on July 21, 1963, in Minot, North Dakota, Kelly was the son of Ralph Herzog and Madeline Kay Fish. He was lovingly adopted by Donald Dean Martin, who became the father that shaped his character and values starting at the age of six—helping him become the honorable, kind man his family and friends will forever remember.
Kelly’s early years took him across North Dakota, Montana, and Tehran, Iran, before his family settled in Bellevue, WA, where he attended Sammamish High School from 10th grade through graduation. Kelly went on to attend Bellevue College, where he pitched for the baseball team. He joined the Army to help pay his way through college, attended Pikes Peak while stationed in Colorado, and eventually earned his AA degree in Business Marketing from Everett Community College, utilizing the GI Bill.
Kelly lived an extraordinary life. He proudly served his country as Sergeant First Class in the Army/Army Reserve from 1985 to 2004 and was granted the highest level of security clearance. He was actively deployed to Bosnia in 1997 and trained in many countries including Korea, El Salvador, and Germany. He was recognized as an “Expert” rifleman and took great pride in training junior servicemen and women in various military required classes. His military roles spanned transportation, postal services management, and photojournalism, where he wrote articles for Army publications.
Kelly married the love of his life Lanelle in 1999 and in 2003 he was deployed as a Reservist to Iraq for a two-year assignment as a semi-truck tanker driver to refuel vehicles in the field. His wife Lanelle petitioned for his release so they could start a family, and by the grace of God, it was miraculously granted. His sons Christian and Will soon followed. He said his greatest accomplishment was that of a husband and father.
Kelly’s civilian career was as diverse as it was accomplished: from the Nordstrom shoe department and the opening team at the Bellevue Hyatt, to sales and leadership roles in manufacturing, banking, finance, investments, and insurances at Burke Gibson Inc., Prudential Financial, U.S. Bank, Key Bank, and IBM. He later retired from IBM Global Finance after a decade of service, managing technology financing for business clients across Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and Idaho.
A lifelong sports enthusiast, Kelly especially enjoyed golf, tennis, racquetball, baseball, bowling, camping, and fishing, most of which he did with his parents and siblings while younger, then continued the legacy with his own family. He also gave back to his community as an umpire for Little League baseball, youth coach for basketball and flag football—proudly leading undefeated teams at the Kirkland Boys & Girls Club, where he coached his sons, his nephew, and many of their friends.
Kelly cherished time with his family above all. Whether visiting Mom and Dad, siblings and their children at their home in Bellevue, cheering on his sons in Little League, Catholic league basketball, high school tennis, golf, and track, or taking family trips—especially the treasured vacations to visit his wife’s relatives in Hawaii—he built a life rich in love, connection, and laughter.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 25 years (28 total), Lanelle Cababat-Martin; his sons, Christian and William “Will”; his mother, Madeline Kay Martin; brothers Warren (Vicki) and Jason; sister Denise; father and mother-in-law William “Bill” and Bernice Cababat; sisters-in-law Rochelle, Sandra (Tom), Cherilyn, Dana (Craig), and more than 25 nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews from the Martin, Cababat, Mercado, Wilson, Tobosa, and Daligdig families. He also leaves behind many aunts, uncles, and cousins from the Fiechtner and Fish families.
Kelly lived by the virtues of Galatians 5:22—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (though a good piece of chocolate walnut fudge could test that last one).
Kelly was a devoted husband, loving father, caring son/son-in-law, fun brother, true friend, and good neighbor. He had a contagious sense of humor that made others feel instantly accepted in his presence. He never knew a stranger and was gracious and kind to anyone that was blessed to be in his sphere. His kindness, sincerity, and generosity left a lasting mark on all who knew him. Kelly’s memory will live in the hearts of his family and friends forever. One day far away, we will join him in the presence of our heavenly father.
13 Responses to “Kelly Wade Martin”
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This is such a lovely tribute and it’s so fitting for such an amazing person. I will forever miss our adventures since childhood into adulthood. I will forever miss his tag line every time I called or saw him “Scotteeeee”
He was truly great Man, father, coach, umpire, so many things! I always saw him smiling and his gentle words, kindness flowed from his eyes! He is in our families core memories of Our baseball beginning and best days of our lives! What a legacy he leaves behind! Honored to have been a part of the journey!
My prayers for healing and strength are with all who loved him!
Dearest, oldest brother,
Kel dog and Benjamin Button were my nicknames for Kelly. He was my protector growing up and my friend as we got older. My tennis buddy even though he would always beat me, I loved to play with him, what an amazing athlete he was. He is the kind of person I always aspired to be: Funny, loving, athletic, just plain amazing. I know I will see him again, that is what I hang onto and when I do it will be the best day ever. I love you more than words can say Kel and miss you even more now that you are in heaven.
Lanelle, I’m so sorry for your loss.
We are deeply grateful for the time and memories we shared with Kelly. His warmth, generosity, and unwavering kindness touched everyone in our family. Kelly always made people feel welcome and loved, and his laughter, sense of humor, and encouraging spirit will be missed every day.
It was a privilege to witness Kelly as a devoted husband, nurturing father, true friend, and fun brother-in-law. His dedication to family, his faith, and his compassion inspired us and so many others. We will cherish our moments together in Hawaii and Redmond—cheering on the kids, sharing meals, and enjoying family events. Kelly’s example of love and goodness will forever be a part of us.
Our hearts remain with Lanelle, Christian, Will, and everyone who was blessed to know Kelly. We miss him dearly and hold his memory close. Rest in peace, Kelly—you are truly unforgettable.
My dearest uncle Kelly words cannot express how much i miss and how much in still am to hear about your passing. He was truly amazing and I was blessed to have you as family. He always lit up a room and always found a way to make everyone laugh and smile. He was a great father, a wonderful husband and the true definition of a hard working and caring man. He was always fun to be around and always knew how to cheer me up and Crack some of the best jokes ive ever heard. Kelly always had a beautiful soul inside him and he made it blossom with love across the entire family his presence was known and will be truly forever missed. I know Kelly will be watching over us all as we go through life and when I get older I wanna be just like him. Loving, Caring, Honest, and Passionate for my family. I love you Kelly and you will be apart of me until I see you again in heaven. I love this family and I’m forever grateful to be apart of it.
I am forever blessed to have had Uncle Kelly in my life for the last 20+ years. From the days of guiding me as a young adult, to the days he played a huge role in guiding my Son to become a young man, he always wore a smile. And he always had a funny story or joke. Even in the most stressful situations! Even when it wasn’t easy. He truly just wanted everyone around him happy. All the time. We will never forget the way you loved us all like Family.
Lanelle and family….
So sorry for your loss. What a beautiful tribute to his legacy. The name KELLY means “mighty warrior”. Even though I didn’t know him, our connection is our name.
Peace be with you in knowing he is with our Savior and lord, Jesus Christ. GOD bless you.
This was so beautifully written and what an man he was! Kelly was always so kind and everyone that knew him, liked him. I have been praying for Lanelle and their boys and I have no doubt he is sitting with God watching over them now.
I met Kelly and the Martin family in the mid seventies throughout Minot, Langdon, GrandForks, North Dakota and Conrad, Montana with Boeing. He was like a little brother to me during those times. We played sports together daily and board games, especially Statego Baseball board game. He was our QB in backyard football with an accurate killer arm. I am from Bellevue originally, so when we moved home I went to Sammamish High School. My Junior year unexpectedly, Kelly showed up as a Sophmore, I was elated. We played HS football together. It was a great reunion. After high school we hungout for a few years, daily, before I moved to Los Angeles. I became a Christian down there. When I moved back to Bellevue, I was blessed to have had the opportunity to share my faith with him and pray with him and many of our other friends. We went to church together several times He loved God, loved others, and always had great character. We had intense tennis battles. Unfortunately, we lost touch in our latter years, but I love him and always will. We will be together again in heaven.
My condolences to the Martin family and friends. Kelly was a unique and special man. I was blessed to know him.
To Kelly, the miracle man! Well, buddy, this miracle took you to the place we are all heading and we we will see you soon! You always called me Roberto! I’ll never forget our football games in the snow after blizzards in Minot, your smile that lit up a room, and those beautiful, curious and welcoming eyes! Love you and I know you will be having a great view of all those to love until we meet again!
To Lanelle and the family, even with faith, this is a tremendous loss in this present time. We will prayerfully be lifting you all up and we are always here for you! Much love to you all!
I was blessed to spend time with Kelly. People loved Kelly as he was so kind and approachable with his inviting smile, wit and charm. You are reading this because you too were drawn into his charisma and kind spirit too. I loved playing tennis with Kelly (he would always win), going to Husky football games and hitting the town with him.
His favorite subject was his family and talking about his boys!
See you on the other side pal!
We were blessed to have known Kelly and experience our boys growing up. Kelly was such a gentle soul and a joy to be around. Always had a smile on his face and a kind word to say. Our heartfelt condolences and prayers for all of those who knew and love Kelly.